Popular musician Kanye West recently made many antisemitic remarks online, reflecting a rising trend in antisemitism, or hostility and prejudice against Jewish people, that has been perpetuated by online media in recent years.
Antisemitism is nothing new. Originally, Jews were alienated among Egyptians, Greeks and Romans due to their monotheistic beliefs. Martin Luther, father of the Protestant Reformation, utilized the printing press to spread antisemitism, suggesting Protestants “set fire to [Jewish] synagogues.”
According to the Anti-Defamation League, an organization examining antisemitism in the United States, there were 2,717 reported antisemitic incidents in 2021, a 34% increase compared to 2020, and the highest recorded number since the ADL began tracking in 1979.
One possible reason for this increase was the escalated Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with some criticisms devolving into malicious antisemitism. Following an outbreak of violence in May 2021, the ADL tracked over 17,000 tweets using variations of a specific hateful phrase targeted towards Jewish people.
“I’m terrified of where it could lead. I’m terrified for people’s safety.”
The spree of remarks in October of 2022 made by Kanye West during interviews and through social media only serves as more fuel to the fire. He is now banned on both Twitter and Instagram, and Adidas has terminated his fashion partnership.
“[Antisemitism] is horrible and the things that came out of Kanye West’s mouth [and] Kyrie Irving’s [were] just really out there,” said Lisa Kossiver, Advanced Placement computer science and finite math teacher. “There’s a lot of hatred right now toward Jewish people and it’s terrifying. I’m terrified of it getting worse. I’m terrified of where it could lead. I’m terrified for people’s safety.”
This recent rise in antisemitism has led many to take precautions to ensure their safety.
“I go to temple every week, and there’s been more security,” said junior and Shalom Club vice president Galit Moff. “There’s just more anxiety about the rise of antisemitism. I think that definitely penetrates and spreads into my life and others.”
In general, antisemitism has been increasing online recently. Between February 2020 and May 2021, Brandeis University discovered that TikTok had a 41% increase in antisemitic posts and a 912% increase in antisemitic comments.
“There is a real hatred against Jewish people that I don’t understand,” Kossiver said. “I have been to Auschwitz and two places in Europe where Jews were completely eradicated. My family was completely eradicated. The town where my name comes from [has] no records. I’m terrified of something like that happening again. People think things like this can’t happen, but they will and they can. We see it all the time.”
“I go to temple every week, and there’s been more security”
Some have decided to boycott Kanye West’s music and businesses due to his antisemitism.
“It … affects me and others when [antisemitism] is so prevalent among these popular figures,” Moff said. “I personally don’t feel like I can support these athletes and entertainers who spread antisemitic rhetoric and are somewhat against the existence of Jews. I did periodically listen to some of [Kanye’s] music, but [now] I have taken a break.”
Others still listen to his music, despite the controversy.
“I separate the artist from the art,” said sophomore Shastha Suresh. “It’s supporting a person [versus] supporting something they do. I support Kanye’s music, but I don’t support Kanye himself. We can enjoy good music without believing [in] what the person themselves is saying.”
The ease in which Kanye West spread hate online serves as a reminder of media platforms’ general lack of response to antisemitic activity. The Center to Counter Digital Hate revealed that the five major social media companies took no action in removing 84% of antisemitic posts. Harmful misinformation is ingrained within social media. A report from the United Nations concluded that social media propagates Holocaust denial.
“On social media, misinformation spreads,” Moff said. “I think it’s important to start … learning people’s backgrounds, people’s stories, to get a sense of [and] understand a religion like Judaism. It’s [also] really valuable to have a club surrounding Jewish culture and having these activities where people can see our lives and see our perspective.”
With the spread of targeted hate, many advocate for standing up for one another.
“What we can do as non-Jewish people is show that we do respect Jewish people and not be mean like Kanye,” said sophomore Jameson Spencer. “We [need to] start respecting people more.”
